Chapter-13

Author's POV,

On the other side, Shivani returned from the washroom and began searching for Pihu in the hall. However, she couldn't spot her anywhere. Unable to call her due to the phone restrictions at the venue, Shivani assumed that Pihu had left on her own, possibly out of fear in the presence of Rudra. Disappointed, she made her way back to their apartment, hoping to find Pihu there.

As Shivani stepped into their apartment, a sense of dread washed over her when she realized Pihu was nowhere to be found. Frantically, she searched every room, calling out her friend's name in growing desperation. "Pihu! Pihu, where are you?" Shivani's voice quivered with worry and fear.

The silence in the apartment amplified Shivani's anxiety. Thoughts raced through her mind, each one more unsettling than the last. What if something had happened to Pihu on her way back? What if Rudra had done something to her? The possibilities seemed endless, and Shivani felt her panic intensify.

With trembling hands, Shivani reached for her phone, intending to call her father, who happened to be a police commissioner. She knew he was the only one who could help her in this situation. But as she dialed his number, her heart sank when she realized he wouldn't be able to answer. Her father had mentioned a meeting in Delhi, which meant he was likely on a flight at that moment.

A surge of frustration and helplessness washed over Shivani as she gripped her phone tightly. She knew she had to find Pihu on her own, but the fear of the unknown loomed over her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts. She needed to think clearly and come up with a plan.

Shivani grabbed her keys and rushed out of the apartment, determined to retrace Pihu's steps and track her down. She knew she had to find her friend before any harm could befall her. She thought of going to police station she know some people due to her farther who could help her. So, without second thought she moved there.

But what she doesn't know that no one going to help her as no one want to cross path with RSR.

Shivani hurriedly made her way to the nearest police station, her heart pounding in her chest. She held onto a glimmer of hope that someone there would be able to assist her in finding Pihu. As she entered the station, she approached the front desk with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.

"Excuse me," Shivani began, her voice filled with urgency. "I'm looking for my friend, Pihu. She's gone missing, and I'm really worried about her. Can you please help me?"

The police officer behind the desk glanced up at Shivani, his expression distant and guarded. He seemed uninterested, barely acknowledging her plea for help. Shivani felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as she realized that her father's influence might not be enough to sway them.

"I'm sorry, miss," the officer replied with an apathetic tone. "We have limited resources, and missing persons cases require a certain level of evidence before we can initiate a search. I suggest you wait for twenty-four hours and come back if she still hasn't returned."

Shivani's eyes widened in disbelief. Twenty-four hours? She couldn't bear the thought of waiting that long while Pihu's safety remained uncertain. The officer's response felt like a slap in the face, a stark reminder that the world she lived in was far from just and fair.

Frustration and anger welled up inside Shivani, fueling her determination to find her friend on her own. With a newfound resolve, she left the police station, her mind racing with possibilities. She thought of going back to her apartment and think of a way to find her.

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Each word reverberated with a haunting intensity, instilling a profound sense of dread within Pihu. Trapped in Rudra's web of darkness and obsession, she felt her spirit wane, her hopes for escape fading like a distant dream. The weight of his words pressed upon her, smothering her essence, leaving her teetering on the precipice of a life she never asked for.

Pihu's senses returned, and she realized that she couldn't rely on anyone but herself to escape Rudra's clutches. She struggled fiercely in his grip, her anger mounting as she declared, "Let me go, Mr. Rathore. I will never stay with you, and accepting your love is out of the question."

Rudra's patience and sanity began to crumble at Pihu's defiance. He seethed with rage and commanded his guards, "Bring that bastard." Pihu was puzzled, wondering who he was referring to, until she saw Neel being dragged before them. Her heart sank, and she pleaded desperately, "Mr. Rathore, why have you captured Neel? Please let him go."

Neel, beaten and unable to stand, was thrown to the ground by Rudra's guards. Rudra explained to Pihu with a sinister smile, "Neel dared to try and take what is mine. I had to teach him a lesson, to show him the consequences of going against my wishes. So, my dear, let us savor this moment." Rudra took a seat, pulling Pihu onto his lap, while she wept, unable to bear witness to Neel's suffering.

Rudra coldly commanded his guards, "Beat him until he dies." Pihu's distress escalated, and she pleaded in a broken voice, "Please, Mr. Rathore, let him go. Please, don't kill him."

As Pihu's desperate pleas filled the room, her voice trembling with fear and anguish, Rudra's guards hesitated, awaiting their master's command. A flicker of uncertainty crossed Rudra's face, momentarily wavering his resolve. He raised his hand, signaling his guards to hold their actions.

"Enough," Rudra's voice cut through the air, commanding a halt to the brutality. The guards stepped back, leaving Neel battered and broken on the ground. Rudra's gaze shifted from Neel to Pihu, his expression a twisted mix of fury and possessiveness.

"You see, Pearl, your pleas have momentarily saved his life," Rudra sneered, his grip on her tightening. "But remember this, your defiance will have consequences. This is just a glimpse of what awaits anyone who dares to cross me."

Pihu's body trembled in Rudra's grasp as she fought to catch her breath, her eyes pleading with him. "Please, Mr. Rathore, I beg you, spare Neel's life. He did no harm to you then why are you doing this."

Rudra's eyes narrowed, his grip on Pihu's trembling form relenting slightly. His voice turned cold and threatening, a chilling tone that sent shivers down Pihu's spine. "You underestimate the extent of my power, My Pearl. There is no other way. Neel crossed the line by trying to take what's mine, and he must pay the price."

Desperation consumed Pihu as she pleaded one last time innocently without realising about Rudra madness, her voice strained and desperate. "I beg you, Mr. Rathore, have mercy. Please, don't let his blood stain your hands. Let him go, and I promise I will do whatever you ask. Just spare his life."

Silence hung heavily in the air, thick with tension and uncertainty. Rudra's gaze bore into Pihu's tear-filled eyes, his mind grappling with conflicting emotions. In that moment, a flicker of compassion and tenderness surfaced within him, threatening to shatter the icy facade he had meticulously crafted. But Rudra's determination to possess Pihu at any cost fought against these fleeting feelings.

With a heavy sigh, Rudra's voice softened, revealing a hint of the vulnerability hidden beneath his hardened exterior. "You know, Pearl, it is your kindness that drew me to you in the first place. I wanted to protect you from this cruel world. Alright, I will spare his life as you promised to accept me."

Pihu's heart wavered between relief and fear, knowing that her fate was intricately entwined with this man who held her captive. She collapsed into Rudra's arms, her strength depleted, and her consciousness fading. As darkness embraced her, she couldn't help but wonder if there was any way to truly escape the clutches of a love as relentless and possessive as Rudra's.

To be continued.............................................